The bottom half of the MLC 2025 table has been occupied by three underperforming teams clawing at a potential fourth spot, while the top three have been uber competitive in their quest for a qualifier spot. San Francisco Unicorns, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom are all on the lookout to feature in the first playoffs fixture that offers a safety net in the event of a defeat. Unicorns and Super Kings have a shot at negating each other's efforts towards this endeavour when they go up against each other in Friday's afternoon clash.
MLC 2025
San Francisco Unicorns, Texas Super Kings push for Qualifier cushion
The top-of-the-table clash comes with the context of one of them taking a big step towards playing in the qualifier © MLC
Unicorns are still at the top but will have a slight cause for concern heading into the crucial phase of the season. They started with great aplomb, beating the defending champions Washington Freedom by 123 runs and following that up with five more wins on the bounce. But their air of invincibility has been pricked since, as they've suffered back-to-back defeats - to Freedom and Seattle Orcas. They've of course already qualified but letting a bit of complacency creep in at this stage could prove fatal for Matthew Short's side.
The Super Kings, meanwhile, will head into Friday's game with perhaps, a more assured mindspace. They recovered well from a mid-season wobble when they lost two on the trot to then win three on the bounce and rise up to second, with their latest victory coming in a five-over encounter against third-placed Freedom. The oft-spoken about 'momentum', should hold them in good stead against a team whose imperfections have been exposed in the last few days.
The top three teams, locked on 12 points, have taken turns breathing down each other's necks in the race for a top-two finish. On Friday afternoon, the Unicorns and Super Kings have a chance to stake their claim, before the three-way race intensifies further in the evening, when third-placed Washington Freedom get a shot at climbing to 14 points against fourth-placed Seattle Orcas
When: San Francisco Unicorns vs Texas Super Kings, 25th Match, July 4, 3:00 PM local time
Where: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida
What to expect: The venue continues to keep batters on a leash, compared to the free reign they enjoyed in Dallas. There's a forecast for rain in the evening, towards the end of this fixture.
Team News:
San Francisco Unicorns: Haris Rauf should return after getting rest in the previous fixture. His inclusion would need the ouster of an overseas player, likely to be Tim Seifert. That then brings keeper-batter Jahmar Hamilton into the line-up, likely in place of Liam Plunkett.
Probable XI:Matthew Short(c), Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Romario Shepherd, Jahmar Hamilton (wk), Xavier Bartlett, Brody Couch, Haris Rauf, Karima Gore
Texas Super Kings: Faf du Plessis missed the previous fixture just two nights ago with a 'slight elbow injury'. If he's fit, Daryl Mitchell will make way for him.
Probable XI: Smit Patel, Faf du Plessis/Daryl Mitchell, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Marcus Stoinis, Shubham Ranjane, Donovan Ferreira, Calvin Savage, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Nandre Burger, Zia-ul-Haq
© Cricbuzz
